Reaction from Samir Carruthers, Paul Downing, Brandon Thomas-Asante and George Williams to MK Dons' pre-season opener against St. James's Gate...
SAMIR CARRUTHERS
On first pre-season run-out…
“It was good to get out on the pitch, get the ball zipping around and get a bit of sharpness. We’ve got two more games and hopefully we can gradually get fitter and fitter because that’s what these games are about.”
On building confidence…
“It was a good run-out, to build up our confidence. Even though the standard of the opposition wasn’t that strong, we had to respect and play like we would do during the season. There are new players coming in so we need to build different relationships and for the youngsters it’s a chance to show to gaffer that they are worthy to be in the first team. I thought all the boys did themselves proud tonight.”
On the young players…
“I thought they all did very well. Oran (Jackson) looks like a very good talent. He’s so comfortable on the ball. You also had Brandon (Thomas-Asante) on the left, who scored his goal which will have done him the world of good. You could see after his goal that he was confident. You had Connor (Furlong) on the right who showed lovely feet. Sometimes he reminds me of a Messi with he way he dribbles. They’ve all got a lot to learn but so do I and so does everyone. Them being up with the first-team will help them.”
On demand of playing games in quick succession…
“Damo (Damien Doyle) has done a good job of working everything out so everyone gets the right amount of minutes. We don’t overdo it but at the same time we have to get our way up to match-level of fitness. I’m feeling quite fit myself, feeling sharp. All the boys are looking a lot fitter as well.”
PAUL DOWNING
On making first MK Dons appearance…
“I really enjoyed it. It was a proud moment for myself. I just want to show everyone what I can do, really. Obviously I need to impress the gaffer and my fellow teammates. I’m trying to do that every day in training and in games as well.”
On the pre-season opener…
“It’s been a few months since we’ve been across the white lines but I thought we all applied ourselves really well, got what we wanted out of the game, scored some good goals and played some good football.”
On what can be gained from pre-season matches…
“You can only beat what’s in front of you but we know there will be tougher tests to come. I thought we applied ourselves well, played some good football, showed some good touches and had some good moments. It was a worthwhile game.”
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE
On the goal…
“I just tried to get myself in the best position and finish my chance. It was probably a bit selfish of me but I thought I’d give it a go. As a striker you’ve got to take your chances and I’m thankful that I did. It was a good feeling.”
On being involved with the first-team…
“I’m thankful for the opportunity. I just had to focus on the game while I was on my way here and then make it count. I think I did myself a bit of justice but I know I’ve got a lot more to do.”
On building confidence…
“I have to keep on trying to do my best and if I push on and continue to build momentum with my performances then it’ll make things possible for me.”
On aims for the final two days…
“It’s been a good experience already and hopefully that continues. Hopefully I’ll get many more chances and if I do, I hope I can make them count.”
GEORGE WILLIAMS
On scoring in his MK Dons return…
“It was nice to get a goal. It was good to get some minutes under the belt and get back playing. It was nice to pull on the Dons shirt again.”
“The main thing is just getting the minutes in the legs. It was nice to be able to get forward and push on. It was good to get 45 minutes in and I’ll look to build on it and get more and more minutes in the legs.”
On the benefits that can be taken from the match…
“It’s been a tough start with all the pre-season running and getting fit. It was nice to get a game out and get the ball out. I really enjoyed it.”
On getting back to playing football…
On the benefits that can be taken from the match…
“It’s been a tough start with all the pre-season running and getting fit. It was nice to get a game out and get the ball out. I really enjoyed it.”
On getting back to playing football…
